Dynamo defender Hainault shows knack for goals

Updated 7:15 pm, Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Andre Hainault deserves the applause after scoring the lone goal in the Dynamo's opener.

Andre Hainault deserves the applause after scoring the lone goal in the Dynamo's opener.

Photo: Melissa Phillip

Dynamo defender Hainault shows knack for goals

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As one who possesses all the necessary tools on defense, Andre Hainault rejects the notion that he has a nose for the goal. Having a "nose for the goal" is rarely used to describe anybody from the back line, and the big redhead is above all a pure defender.

Whether at center back or right back, Hainault has been one of the pillars of arguably the best defense in Major League Soccer. Yet Brian Ching and Will Bruin would love Hainault's recent scoring pace.

Dating to last postseason, Hainault has scored three goals in five games, including the decisive goals in the Dynamo's last two victories. He scored the game-winner in the Eastern Conference finals last November against Sporting Kansas City and the lone tally in the season opener Sunday against Chivas USA. He also opened the score sheet in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Union.

"It's something that I'd like to work on and score more goals," Hainault said. "I definitely don't have a nose for goal yet."

Clutch performer

Before his recent surge, nobody would have argued with him. Hainault entered last postseason with four goals over 79 regular-season games since 2009. Yet he has improved his offense quite a bit lately.

In stoppage time Sunday, Hainault had a masterful first touch to set himself up after stopping Adam Moffat's shot inside the 18-yard box. Then he crushed a shot past goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who had kept Chivas USA in the game with multiple spectacular saves.

Including last season's four playoff games, Hainault has scored half of the Dynamo's last six goals. All three goals were a result of corner kicks. Against the Union at PPL Park, he headed in Brad Davis' corner kick. Against Sporting Kansas City, he tapped the ball in after Jermaine Taylor redirected a corner from Moffat across the mouth of the goal.

"He's very consistent, does not take any plays off," coach Dominic Kinnear said of Hainault. "He's not afraid to be brave, not afraid to throw his body in where other people might not.

"He's always alert. I don't think he takes plays off. I don't think he stops thinking. His intensity is the same until the play is completely dead."

Comparable traits

Although they play different positions and Hainault doesn't use speed as a weapon, he is much like former Dynamo midfielder Brian Mullan.

His perseverance is important defensively and on the attack on set pieces.

More Information

Dynamo update

March 11: Dynamo 1, Chivas USA 0.

Record: 1-0-0.

Saturday: At San Jose, 4 p.m.

TV/radio: FSH-plus; 950 AM, 850 AM (Spanish).

"The one thing I like about him is if you look at set pieces, he never stops until the play is over," Kinnear said. "It carries over. He has the same attitude as Brian (Mullan).

"He's not very nice on the field. He practices the same way. When he steps on the field, his focus is very good."